Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Advise. Dont

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windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Where are you going to visit? east or west & when?
What style of sailing are you doing? What kit do you think that you need?
What car are you hiring?
Whos coming with you? how many?

Answer these and you will get a whole lot more advice & options

Firstly... Flying via Asia means most Airlines will only give you 20 to 23 kgs luggage allowance in Economy. The maximum anyone will let you take is 32kgs per bag as that is the OH&S limit. However, a lot of airlines have started limiting the maximum per bag to 23 kgs.

Secondly if the airline doesn't have a special fare for "surf boards" or "water sports equipment" expect to pay anywhere up $80 per kg in excess.

If you can avoid it never tell the airline you have "windsurf boards" as the majority think a windsurf board is a 1980s style One Design Windsurfer with a 460cm one piece mast.
Before you book make sure you see the luggage rules in writing. Most airlines post them on their web sites. Don't go by what someone tells you on the phone. If it's not in writing it's not valid.Make sure you check the airlines rules around maximum bag length. Some airlines use baggage containers that only fit boards up to 190cm in length.
If there is an option in the booking system register your gear as "surf boards" or "water sports equipment". That way there are no surprises at the airport.

Depending on what type of ticket you get make sure you check the cost of a business class ticket. For example I have seen low season round the world / cirlce business class fares that were only $1000 cheaper then the equivalent economy ticket with the added bonus of a healthy amount of additional luggage allowance. Beware of domestic restrictions though. For example if you fly via the US your luggage allowance in business class is usually 2 bags at 32kgs each. However if you add a stop over between two domestic points that allowance drops to 1x 32 kgs. For economy it's even less.

Consider buying a used board in Australia and only take sails/ mast / boom. There is some seriously cheap quality gear in the buy and sell section of this web site. Most people turn over their gear between now and September. Quality is generally good and people are usually honest about the condition of gear.

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windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Hi Tom, I have only used Qantas the last few years and you will be OK as long as your roller bag is under 32kg. You can check it in online and use the max dimensions that it will accept and that helps as at least there is oversize baggage showing in your booking should you get an unhelpful attendant at check in. Details are all available on their website...Cheers Tim

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BSN101 said..

Where are you going to visit? east or west & when?
What style of sailing are you doing? What kit do you think that you need?
What car are you hiring?
Whos coming with you? how many?

Answer these and you will get a whole lot more advice & options

Thanks for the replies, I am coming over on a permanent residency to work on the mid north coast of NSW. I used to live there a few years ago and had a 100l Freestyle 85l FSW and 6.5 - 4.5 sails. I took everything back to Ireland, but the 100l freestyle got most of the use.
Wind isn't super up there so I will probably buy a 7m when I move over, and was thinking of bringing my 4.5/5/5.7, 400 mast and boom because it is easy to transport. Not sure whether to bring a board, but there arn't many freestyle boards for sale there so I might be better taking it.
May get more kit further down the line like a cheap 80litre and a 110 slalom if i get the bug,
I'm 70kg.
Will hire a corolla or rav4 depending if i bring a board and buy a my own car when I get there .
My wife is coming but only bringing normal luggage, so may sneak a few fins/extensions/harness in her stuff. She isn't staying till after christmas, so can always get more kit then depending if she is bringing her favourite surfboard.

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OceanPitch said..

windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Hi Tom, I have only used Qantas the last few years and you will be OK as long as your roller bag is under 32kg. You can check it in online and use the max dimensions that it will accept and that helps as at least there is oversize baggage showing in your booking should you get an unhelpful attendant at check in. Details are all available on their website...Cheers Tim

Thanks for the reply OceanPitch. I booked the Qantas flights today and prebooked the sports equipment. Is it better to put it down as a surfboard even if i'm just bringing sails. The booking system only allows the windsurfer to add up to 277 (length+width+height) would it be better to put 210x 55 x 22 and hope they don't measure?

that adds to 287

I phoned qantas and got them to enter in the windsurf bag into my booking manually, their customer service team agreed this measurement calc on the system didn't work, they emailed me a confirmation that they'd carry it too, but was all fine at the airport. Get to the airport early

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windsurftom said..

OceanPitch said..

windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Hi Tom, I have only used Qantas the last few years and you will be OK as long as your roller bag is under 32kg. You can check it in online and use the max dimensions that it will accept and that helps as at least there is oversize baggage showing in your booking should you get an unhelpful attendant at check in. Details are all available on their website...Cheers Tim

Thanks for the reply OceanPitch. I booked the Qantas flights today and prebooked the sports equipment. Is it better to put it down as a surfboard even if i'm just bringing sails. The booking system only allows the windsurfer to add up to 277 (length+width+height) would it be better to put 210x 55 x 22 and hope they don't measure?

I would avoid putting it down as a windsurfer. I have only travelled lots domestically with gear, and when you get someone that knows nothing about the sport or gear hears the words 'windsurfer' they look at the rules that have the word 'windsurfer' in them and say 'no we can't carry them as the mast is too long' or they ask to see a supervisor. The rules were obviously written in the 1980s when one piece masts were the only option, so all the domestic airlines have the same verbage about 'masts too long'.

It is funny some times when you get airport staff that go "windsurfing gear, okay no problem, we get this all the time", when you have written it down as 'surfboard'. I explain that no one knows what a windsurfing board is, so that's the closest thing to use. The worst is when you get someone that is new and says "oh, I think that is too big and we can't carry it", at which point its good to stay polite and say that you carry this gear all the time and have never had a problem and is there a manager that we can check it with.

It is important on domestic flights to avoid airlines that can only take luggage in containers, as sometimes it means they won't take beyond a certain size as oversize, but you are international, so other than trying to check there's not much else you can do.

Agree just say sporting equipment/surfboard when checking in and it will go through oversize luggage. Length wont be an issue for you. A modern board is no issue with Qantas just watch your weight or it will cost. No one item can be too heavy as well.

OP
You need to talk with Quantas , dont listen to posters who's experience is with some other airline .The business class suggestion may help as the baggage allowance will be more.

I worked for United Airlines , this was when we had latitude to interpret the rules. That era is long gone. My last international trip they measured and weighted my checked baggage. So don't expect to smile nice and get one over on the customer service representatives.

Be prepared , have the rules printed, dont hesitate to ask for a supervisor.
Best suggestion I have , If your G/F is going let her bat her eyes at the CS Rep, if male.

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forceten said..
Best suggestion I have , If your G/F is going let her bat her eyes at the CS Rep, if male.

Even if no GF, try batting your eyes. You never know. ??

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windsurftom said..

OceanPitch said..

windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Hi Tom, I have only used Qantas the last few years and you will be OK as long as your roller bag is under 32kg. You can check it in online and use the max dimensions that it will accept and that helps as at least there is oversize baggage showing in your booking should you get an unhelpful attendant at check in. Details are all available on their website...Cheers Tim

Thanks for the reply OceanPitch. I booked the Qantas flights today and prebooked the sports equipment. Is it better to put it down as a surfboard even if i'm just bringing sails. The booking system only allows the windsurfer to add up to 277 (length+width+height) would it be better to put 210x 55 x 22 and hope they don't measure?

The board could be 210 X 55 X this thickness of 22 is what ???? cant be cm, the board should be about what 12cm , trick which case its 277cm exact.

If this figure were slightly higher , say 280cm unless you get someone having a bad day, they would overlook this. The 3cm fudge, is subject , could be much higher . Weight will be critical, and EARLY EARLY check in strongly advised. Be nice and polite .

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forceten said..


Be prepared , have the rules printed, dont hesitate to ask for a supervisor.
Best suggestion I have , If your G/F is going let her bat her eyes at the CS Rep, if male.

Are you sure you worked for an airline?

In my experience, getting your girlfriend to bat her eyes at the male CS rep is only going to work 50% of the time!

Either way, the best advice I have ever read when you think things might be marginal when checking in is to keep on eye on who seems to be having the best day of the check-in staff and trying to get them.

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FormulaNova said..

forceten said..


Be prepared , have the rules printed, dont hesitate to ask for a supervisor.
Best suggestion I have , If your G/F is going let her bat her eyes at the CS Rep, if male.

Are you sure you worked for an airline?

In my experience, getting your girlfriend to bat her eyes at the male CS rep is only going to work 50% of the time!

Either way, the best advice I have ever read when you think things might be marginal when checking in is to keep on eye on who seems to be having the best day of the check-in staff and trying to get them.

Yes I'm sure .11 years . PWM ABQ . Do you always question such trivial details ? My wife also worked for 26years for USAir.

its a little complicated.

www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/sporting-equipment/global/en

And the first answer I gave is what I would follow . Dont do it.

The suggestion to purchase a board there has merit.

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forceten said..

Yes I'm sure .11 years . PWM ABQ . Do you always question such trivial details ? My wife also worked for 26years for USAir.

Let's just say US carriers aren't know for their customer service... especially United. Last time I flew with them from San Francisco to Sydney in business class they wanted to charge me US$120 to take 6 wine bottles that were packed in a special case for transporting bottles on planes. Their argument was "the risk of breakage and damage to other bags".My wive was flying economy with Qantas the same day (long story). Qantas staffs response "sure, no problem. We are not united. and what? your partner is flying business and you are stuck in economy? we can't have that... let me upgrade you."

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stehsegler said..

forceten said..

Yes I'm sure .11 years . PWM ABQ . Do you always question such trivial details ? My wife also worked for 26years for USAir.

Let's just say US carriers aren't know for their customer service... especially United. Last time I flew with them from San Francisco to Sydney in business class they wanted to charge me US$120 to take 6 wine bottles that were packed in a special case for transporting bottles on planes. Their argument was "the risk of breakage and damage to other bags".My wive was flying economy with Qantas the same day (long story). Qantas staffs response "sure, no problem. We are not united. and what? your partner is flying business and you are stuck in economy? we can't have that... let me upgrade you."

I left UAL in 1999, after 11 years. The question is not which airline offers the better customer service, or inflight service It's traveling with kit and the experience , money spent and the huge PITA it is now to travel

Your experience is lending nothing to the OP questions.

Well windsurf tom has booked his flight so let's not argue, good luck tom and let us know how it goes.

Only issuette is how will you get your gear from Ireland to London?

hey
my two cents
lived in the UK for years and travelled to windsurf from there many many times, flying with kit to Ireland, Scotland, Fuerteventura, cape verde, morocco, Greece.
When I moved home I went on a 6 week windsurfing trip to oman, that was the only time I had an issue - every other cheap euro airline was sweet as
ended up paying 500 pounds and had a week delay on kit (as it came later on freight)

so my recommendations would be:

1. don't fly emirates they're notoriously bad with kit especialy over 32kg
2. don't pack ANY bag over 32kg this is a blanket rule for all airlines
3. if possible, fly via the US so you get 2x 32kg bags included in airline fee
4. have a backup plan if all goes to **** at the airport and you are stuck with heaps of kit
5. wrap wetsuits around nose and tail to prevent damage

I have had a few times where I've said its all golf kit and then it goes on for free

good luck

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forceten said..

FormulaNova said..

forceten said..


Be prepared , have the rules printed, dont hesitate to ask for a supervisor.
Best suggestion I have , If your G/F is going let her bat her eyes at the CS Rep, if male.

Are you sure you worked for an airline?

In my experience, getting your girlfriend to bat her eyes at the male CS rep is only going to work 50% of the time!

Either way, the best advice I have ever read when you think things might be marginal when checking in is to keep on eye on who seems to be having the best day of the check-in staff and trying to get them.

Yes I'm sure .11 years . PWM ABQ . Do you always question such trivial details ? My wife also worked for 26years for USAir.

its a little complicated.

www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/sporting-equipment/global/en

I was alluding to the fact that I have found a large proportion of the male check-in staff wouldn't be the type to be swayed by a female flirting with them, probably more likely other men, hence my joke about whether you have really worked for an airline.

If you don't understand it, don't worry. Its not important. I hope you weren't on check-in when you worked there, you sound more like you worked at USA immigration. They are all super friendly and that.

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forceten said..

windsurftom said..

OceanPitch said..

windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Hi Tom, I have only used Qantas the last few years and you will be OK as long as your roller bag is under 32kg. You can check it in online and use the max dimensions that it will accept and that helps as at least there is oversize baggage showing in your booking should you get an unhelpful attendant at check in. Details are all available on their website...Cheers Tim

Thanks for the reply OceanPitch. I booked the Qantas flights today and prebooked the sports equipment. Is it better to put it down as a surfboard even if i'm just bringing sails. The booking system only allows the windsurfer to add up to 277 (length+width+height) would it be better to put 210x 55 x 22 and hope they don't measure?

The board could be 210 X 55 X this thickness of 22 is what ???? cant be cm, the board should be about what 12cm , trick which case its 277cm exact.

If this figure were slightly higher , say 280cm unless you get someone having a bad day, they would overlook this. The 3cm fudge, is subject , could be much higher . Weight will be critical, and EARLY EARLY check in strongly advised. Be nice and polite .

The board may be 12 cm thick but the volume is takes up could easily be 20cm thick if you take into account the rocker of the board.

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Waiting4wind said..

forceten said..

windsurftom said..

OceanPitch said..

windsurftom said..
Hi I am flying from Ireland to Australia in a few months and getting round to booking the flights.

Checking which airlines don't make too much of a fuss over taking windsurfing kit.

I will probably take a roller quiver bag about 30kg.

Looking at Qantas flights, has anyone had any issues? Other options are Etihad (used before with board no problems), Emirates, Cathay Pacific.

Any advice is much appreciated,

Hi Tom, I have only used Qantas the last few years and you will be OK as long as your roller bag is under 32kg. You can check it in online and use the max dimensions that it will accept and that helps as at least there is oversize baggage showing in your booking should you get an unhelpful attendant at check in. Details are all available on their website...Cheers Tim

Thanks for the reply OceanPitch. I booked the Qantas flights today and prebooked the sports equipment. Is it better to put it down as a surfboard even if i'm just bringing sails. The booking system only allows the windsurfer to add up to 277 (length+width+height) would it be better to put 210x 55 x 22 and hope they don't measure?

The board could be 210 X 55 X this thickness of 22 is what ???? cant be cm, the board should be about what 12cm , trick which case its 277cm exact.

If this figure were slightly higher , say 280cm unless you get someone having a bad day, they would overlook this. The 3cm fudge, is subject , could be much higher . Weight will be critical, and EARLY EARLY check in strongly advised. Be nice and polite .

The board may be 12 cm thick but the volume is takes up could easily be 20cm thick if you take into account the rocker of the board.

Yes and if the case is also packed with sails etc.